Value chain studies of moringa, mango, goat and fish

Process Evaluation –Data collection

I. Background

With the support of GIZ, the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is currently undertaking a set of four value chain studies, one each in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The value chains are (1) moringa plantation in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh, (2) goat rearing in Sirohi district of Rajasthan, (3) aquaculture in Katihar district, Bihar, and (4) mango cultivation in Dumka district of Jharkhand. These value chains have been nurtured leveraging assets created under the Mahatma Gandhu National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as part of GIZ’s ongoing Enhancing Rural Resilience through Appropriate Development Actions (ERADA) project. In each state, GIZ has partnered with a local NGO or civil society organization that will lead the implementation of ERADA activities.

II. Objective

IFPRI is currently looking for a consultant who can work together with IFPRI researchers to conduct detailed case studies on these four state-specific value chains. Our research will have two components. The first component will focus on the process by which these assets are created, maintained, managed, and used by beneficiaries using a method called Process Influence-Mapping. The second component will map each value chain and assess quantitatively and qualitatively the impact of these MGNREGA assets. A value chain approach is appropriate since these clusters were designed explicitly to establish, promote, or strengthen specific value chains.

III. Scope of Work

To fulfill this task the consultant is expected to carry out the following activities:

· In collaboration with IFPRI, develop value chain specific theories of change along with details of key actors, to be used for the Process Influence Mapping exercise.

· In collaboration with IFPRI, develop and test interview guides and data collection materials for each of the two components of research.

· With assistance from the IFPRI team, prepare the field protocols for the Process-Influence Mapping exercise in English.

· In collaboration with IFPRI, develop protocols for recruiting participants for the focus group discussions (FGDs) and stakeholder consultations. Help develop a mutually agreed field schedule.

· In collaboration with IFPRI, coordinate and conduct FGDs and interviews. Obtain oral consent to conduct interviews, including explicit consent to record interviews on voice recorders provided by IFPRI.

· Faithfully transcribe and translate into English the proceedings of the FGDs. Deliver cleaned recordings (where consent was given), digital editable copies of transcriptions in the local language and digital editable copies of English translations.

· Maintain good relationship with the NGO partners during the evaluation and be responsive to their queries.

· Throughout this process, demonstrate responsiveness to IFPRI communications, especially around any urgent data collection issues.

These tasks must be completed within the time frame of the appointment. The appointment is expected to run from January 1, 2024 – June 15, 2024. The effort level is for approximately 50 days.

The work will involve one or more visits to each of the four sites and the consultant must be willing to travel alone if necessary.

IV. Deliverables

· Theories of change for each of the value chains identified above.

· Lists of key stakeholders, government line departments and others who will be approached as participants in the interviews.

· Interview and focus group discussion guides; protocols for field engagement on both components of the study.

· Recordings/notes from the interviews conducted.

· Transcribed and translated interviews in editable format in local language and English respectively.

V. Required qualifications and experience

· A Master’s or PhD degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness or related disciplines.

· Demonstrated experience conducting field work on agricultural markets or value chains in India within the last five years.

· Demonstrated experience conducting qualitative data collection, specifically focus group discussions.

· Knowledge of local context and proficiency in Hindi.

· Experience in building trust and good relations with local administration, village leaders, interviewees, and communities.

· Demonstrated ability of managing deliverables in the timeframe given.

· Excellent writing and presentation skills in Hindi and English.

· Proficiency in commonly used Word processing and spreadsheet software, to ensure that the plans, transcripts, translations etc. are exchanged in electronic formats agreed upon by IFPRI.

VI. Preferred qualifications

· A familiarity with the MGNREGA program.

· Prior experience working in the four states identified above.

· Experience with conducting Cost Benefit Analysis and calculating Internal Rate of Return.

Application: Please submit (1) a brief letter of interest highlighting qualifications mentioned above, (2) two samples of previous qualitative studies (reports/briefs etc), (3) a copy of your updated CV. Materials should be submitted in English.